3i8 



Bird-Lore 



Reference to the February numbers of Bird-Lore, 1901-17, will acquaint one 

 with the nature of the report that we desire, but to those to whom none of 

 these issues is available, we may explain that such reports should be headed by 

 the locality, date, hour of starting and of returning, a brief statement of the 

 character of the weather, whether the ground be bare or snow-covered, the di- 

 rection and force of the wind, the temperature and the distance or area covered. 

 Then should be given, in the order of the A.O. U. 'Check-Lisf (which is followed 

 by most standard bird-books), a list of the species noted, with, as exactly as 

 practicable, the number of individuals of each species recorded. A record should 

 read, therefore, somewhat as follows: 



Yonkers, N. Y. (to Bronxville and Tuckahoe and back). — Dec. 25; 8 a.m. to 4:30 

 P.M. Clear; 5 in. of snow; wind west, light; temp. 38° at start, 42° at return. Eleven 

 miles on foot. Observers together. Herring Gull, 75; Bob- white, 12 (one covey); (Sharp- 

 shinned?) Hawk, i; ... Ruby-crowned Kinglet, i. Total, 27 species, about 470 

 individuals. The Ruby-crown was studied with 8x glasses at 20 ft.; eye-ring, absence of 

 head-stripes and other points noted.— James Gates and John Rand. 



These records will be published in the February issue of Bird-Lore, and 

 it is particularly requested that they be sent to the Editor (at the American 

 Museum of Natural History, New York City) by the first possible mail. It will 

 save the Editor much clerical labor if the model here given and the order of the 

 A. 0. U. 'Check-List' be closely followed. — C. H. R. 



K^^^'^t^'^rt 



a christmas breakfast 

 prairie horned larks and tree sparrows 



Photographed by Verdi Burtch, Branchport, N. Y. 



